Galesburg Progressing on Service Line Replacement Project - Illinois EPA Funding is Assisting in Replacing Lead Service Lines

August 18, 2017 04:39 PM

City Manager Todd Thompson noted today that Galesburg is making steady progress in replacing lead service lines connected to the City’s water supply distribution system.

Additionally, the City continues to add orthophosphate to its water to create a barrier in the plumbing of customers’ homes to prevent lead from leaching from pipes. By the end of 2019, the City plans to have replaced half of the City’s lead service lines, while continuing to treat its water to provide the best possible protection against lead leaching from plumbing.

While replacing an estimated 3,000 lead service lines in the City poses a daunting task, City officials have forged partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies to protect the drinking water to the greatest possible extent as the project progresses. Mr. Thompson notes that the City has also forged a strong relationship with the Knox County Health Department in addressing priority replacements of lead service lines for high-risk homes that are being funded by the Illinois EPA’s Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund.

Richard Nelson, Galesburg’s Responsible Operator in Charge, notes that the City remains in contact with the Illinois EPA and the Illinois Department of Public Health’s technical staff. He also indicated Galesburg was recently contacted by the U.S. EPA regarding a project designed to assist other communities across the country in finding lead service lines that may be connected to their water supply. This project was initiated in July and the City is hopeful it will benefit many water suppliers facing similar challenges.

To date, Galesburg has replaced over 500 lead service lines. With additional state or federal funding assistance, Galesburg plans to complete lead service line replacements at another 600 homes by the end of 2018 with an additional 400 replaced by the end of 2019. Mr. Thompson is asking Galesburg water customers for their help in scheduling the replacements. Early this year, approximately 410 customers signed letters of intent with the City to get their service lines replaced. Currently, only 180 of these individuals have contacted the city’s contractor to schedule the replacement. He encourages those that have previously signed a letter of intent and not scheduled a lead service line replacement, to do so as soon as possible by contacting the City’s contractor, J.C. Dillon. Brad Dunlap with J.C. Dillon can be contacted at 309-689-1596 or 309-208-2506.

For additional information on lead in drinking water and precautions that consumers can take to reduce their risk, please see the City’s website.